| Generally, transport swabs are recommended for routine bacteriology.
Charcoal medium is suitable for both aerobic and anaerobic cultures. Specific
viral swabs or tissue are required for viral recovery. If the latter is
being sent please contact the lab first to ascertain the correct tissues
and/or preservatives required. |
| * |
For the detection of pox virus a scab for electron microscopy
is required. Scabs are also required for the demonstration of dermatophilus.
Cultures may be performed on skin scrapes, but contamination is high and
a separate transport swab is recommended. It is always better to send transport
swabs of lesions rather than parts of organs, as these can degenerate badly
in the post. |
| * |
Specific Chlamydial swabs are available but moistened dry
swabs are also suitable for Chlamydia demonstration, but must not be allowed
to dry out. A small piece of cotton wool moistened with PBS placed at bottom
of the swab case will help prevent this. |
| * |
Milk samples should be collected, after suitable topical skin
disinfection, into a clean sterile container. Universal containers are ideal. |